A waterproof laminate flooring version keeps spills from absorbing, eliminating all concerns about staining and rippling. That version makes it suitable for installation in every room in the house, including the kitchen and bath. Be sure to specify if you want the original or waterproof version.
In your chosen laminate, you should see clarity and vibrancy with knots, grains, swirls, and veining variations. In addition, the floor should also have depth, dimension, and textured appearances (a big trend), such as wire-brushed, hand scraped, weathered, and distressed. It can be cut into planks to mimic hardwood or groutable squares for stone and tile echoes.
In addition, this flooring is durable enough to handle heavy foot traffic, pets, and kids and is also easy to maintain, with just regular sweeping and periodic mopping. Installation can be a floating floor where pieces click together, mat, then hover over the subfloor with no nails or glue. Subfloors need to be clean, dry, and level.